William o



W. G. G. BULLOCH.

ADJUSTABLE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 6, 19l9. 1,322,226. Patented Nov. 18,1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET L v Snow 11:01

WILLIAM 6.6. BuLLocH, 1 W I W. G. G. BULLOCH.

ADJUSTABLE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION. APPLICATION FILED MAR.6.I91 9.

1,322,226. Patented Nov. 18, 1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

WILLIAM G. G, BULLOCH, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

ADJUSTABLE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented N av. 18, 1919.

Application filed March 6, 1919. Serial No. 281,054.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM G. G. BUL- LOCH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Washington, in the District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Adjustable Electrical Connections, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to self adjusting means for electrically connecting a vacuum cleaner or the like with a wall fixture.

An important object of the invention is to provide a connection of the above mentioned character, adapted to prevent injury to the wall fixture, by pulling upon-the line supplying current to the vacuum cleaner or the like.

A further object of the invention is to provide means of the above mentioned character, adapted'to serve as a drag-weight for indicating to the operator when the'vacuum cleaner is being moved beyond certain limits, the device serving to take up all pulls upon the line feeding current to the vacuum cleaner, thereby preventing such pulls and strains being transmitted to the wall fixture.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the above mentioned character, which is simple in construction,

inexpensive to manufacture, convenient use, and attractive in appearance.

Other objects and advantages of the in-v vention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and in which like numerals are em loyed to designate like parts throughout t e same,

Figure 1 is a erspective view of a device embodying y invention, showing the same in use.

.Fig. 2 is a perspective view, upon an enlarged scale, of the device.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the device.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on line 44 of Fig. 3 and,

Fig. 5 is a'transverse sectional View taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 10 designates the body portion of the device, which may be termed a drag-weight block or mem- "her. This drag-weight block or member is preferably formed rectangular, as shown, but the invention is in no sense restricted to this particular shape. The block or member 10 may be formed of wood, iron, or any suitable material. Theblock or member 10 should preferably have a substantial weight,

and I have found that satisfactory results are obtainable by having the same weigh from 3 to 10 pounds, while this weight may be varied, as ma 'be found advantageous.

The drag-weig t block or member 10 is intended to be placed upon the floor, orfloor covering, to be dragged thereon, and in order that the device may not scratch or injure highly polished floors, I preferably cover the lower or bottom face thereof with a fibrous sheet 11, which may be formed of felt or the like. This fibrous sheet may-be glued or otherwise secured to the lower or bottom face of the block or member 10. The term drag-weight member is intended to cover a block or member of substantial weight, from three to ten pounds, more or less, and which is to be placed upon the floor or the like, and to be dragged thereon, v

or have a retarded movement, by virtue of its weight. p

In order that the device may be conveniently manipulated, I provide a handle 12,

rigidly secured to'one side of thev member or block 10, as shown.

As more clearly shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the member or block 10 is provided centrally thereof with a recess 13, receiving a box 14, whichis rigidly secured to the member 10, as shown at 15. An insulating sup port 16 is rigidly connected with the box 14, as shown at 17 and is arranged therein. The insulating support 16 carries a socket connection, embodying a tubular element 18, screw threaded, as shown, and an inner contact 19, arranged at the lower end of the tubular element 18. The numeral 20 designates a cable or-line, of-the usual construction, embodying a, pair of insulated wires 21. This cable passes through a lateral opening 22 ,formed in the member or block 10 and leading into the recess 13. The end of one wire '21 has electrical connection with a binding pest 23, electrically connected with a bolt 24-, having electrical connection with the tubular element 18. The other wire 21. has electrical; connection with abindterminal, as any suitable socket terminal may be arranged within the recess 13. It is preferred that the socket terminal be disposed within the recess 13, and covered by a plate 26, held in placeby screws 27, but the invention is not restricted to this particular arrangement. The plate 26 has an opening 28, as shown.

The cable or line 20 which is permanently secured to the member or block 10 is provided at its opposite end with the usual plug terminal for screw threaded engagement within the socket terminal 29 of the electric lamp fixture 30, which may be secured to the side or top wall of the room.

The numeral 31'designates a second cable or line, embodying the two usual insulated. wires. At one end, this cable 31 carries a plug terminal connection 32 for screw threaded engagement within the socket terminal connection of the member or block 10. The plug terminal 32 is of the usual construction, and its terminals contact with the elements 18 and 19. The cable 31 is suitably connected with the motor of a vacuum. cleaner 33.

In the use of'the device, the member or block 10 is placed upon the floor and the cable 20 connected with the socket 29 of the electric light fixture 30, as shown in Fig. 1.. The plug terminal 32 of the cable 31 is now inserted into the socket terminal of the member 10, and when the current is turned on, in the usual manner,-the vacuum cleaner 33 will be set into action.

The vacuum cleaner 33 may now be moved back and forth over the carpet or the like,

in the usual manner, and should the vacuum cleaner be moved for such a distance that the cable 31 is pulled, such cable will in turn pull u 301]. the drag-weight member or block 10. his drag-weight member or block is adapted to be slid upon the floor, by the pulling of the cable 31, within a restricted area, such as an area of from 1 to 3 yards in diameter, more or less, without taking up the slack in the cable 20. It is thus seen that the drag-weight member or block will. serve to effectually remove all strains or pulls from theelectric light fixtures, whereby they are not injured. as frequently occurs.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts, may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of my invention or the scope of the subjoincd claims.

Having thus described my invention what I claim is:

l. A device of the character described, comprising a drag-weight member adapted to be placed upon the floor or the like and to partake of retardetl. shifting movement thereon, a terminal connection carried by the drag-weight member, a cable having connection with the terminal connection and connected with an electric lamp fixture or the like, said cable having a normal slack maintained by the drag-weight member, and a second cable connected with the terminal connection and connected with a vacuum cleaner or the like.

2. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a drag-weight member adapted to beplaced upon the floor or the like and to partake of retarded shifting movement thereon, a terminal connection carried by the drag weight member, a cable having permanent connection with the terminal connection and adapted for connection with an electric lamp fixture, a handle secured to the drag-weight member, and a second cable having detachable engagement with the terminal connection and adapted for connection with a vacuum cleaner or the like.

3. Apparatus of the character described,

comprising a drag-weight member provided in one face with a recess and adapted to be placed upon the floor or the like to partake of retarded shifting movement with relation thereto, a terminal connection arranged within the recess and secured to the drag weight member, a cable permanently connected with the terminal connection and normally having a slack maintained by the drag-weight member, said cable being adapted for connection with an electric lamp fixture, a second cable having detachable engagement with the terminal connection and adapted for connection with a vacuum cleaner or the like, and a handle secured to 7 one side of the drag weight member.

In testimony whereof I have aflixed my signature.

WILLIAM G- G. BULLOCH. 

